Sen. Akbari Opposes the Kelsey Amendment

Worker pay, benefits lower in states with identical policies

NASHVILLE — Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) voted against Senate Joint Resolution 648, a constitutional amendment sponsored by Sen. Brian Kelsey, because the policy rigs the law for companies that want to pay workers lower wages by sabotaging a union’s ability to negotiate for better pay and benefits.

The amendment passed 8–1 Tuesday on a party line vote in the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee. The full Senate will hear the amendment next.

“Laws like Sen. Kelsey’s amendment have kept wages low and health benefits scarce for workers everywhere they’ve been enacted — including Tennessee,” Sen. Akbari said. “I believe it is wrong to use the state constitution to tie the hands of future lawmakers who may see value in the rights of workers to negotiate better pay and stronger benefits without interference from politicians.”

These laws accomplish this assault on labor by creating a “free rider” loophole that allows workers who decide not to be a part of a union to fully benefit from union representation — including higher wages, benefits, training, safety and protection from unfair discipline — without having to pay a single penny for it.